BILL REQ. #:  H-1042.2 

Read first time 01/29/09.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to expanding the authority of the public disclosure commission to include the open public meetings act and the public records act; amending RCW 42.17.360, 42.17.365, 42.17.367, 42.17.369, 42.17.3691, 42.17.370, 42.17.375, 42.17.380, 42.30.120, 18.25.210, 18.32.765, 18.71.430, 18.79.390, 29A.04.225, 42.17.020, 42.17.3691, 42.17.395, 42.17.647, 42.17.660, 42.17.690, 43.70.695, 43.370.050, and 70.168.090; adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; creating a new section; recodifying RCW 42.17.350, 42.17.360, 42.17.362, 42.17.365, 42.17.367, 42.17.369, 42.17.3691, 42.17.370, 42.17.375, and 42.17.380; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 101   RCW 42.17.360 and 1973 c 1 s 36 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commission shall:
     (1) Develop and provide forms for the reports and statements required to be made under ((this)) chapters 42.17, 42.30, and 42.56 RCW;
     (2) Prepare and publish a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting for use by persons required to make reports and statements under ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW;
     (3) Compile and maintain a current list of all filed reports and statements;
     (4) Investigate whether properly completed statements and reports have been filed within the times required by ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW;
     (5) Upon complaint or upon its own motion, investigate and report apparent violations of this chapter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities;
     (6) Prepare and publish an annual report to the governor as to the effectiveness of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW and its enforcement by appropriate law enforcement authorities; ((and))
     (7) Enforce ((this)) chapters 42.17, 42.30, and 42.56 RCW according to the powers granted it by law;
     (8) Investigate, review, and adjudicate complaints alleging violations of chapters 42.56 and 42.30 RCW;
     (9) Issue interpretative opinions of chapters 42.30 and 42.56 RCW; and
     (10) Provide confidential consultation regarding the duties under chapters 42.30 and 42.56 RCW.

Sec. 102   RCW 42.17.365 and 1999 c 401 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commission shall conduct a sufficient number of audits and field investigations so as to provide a statistically valid finding regarding the degree of compliance with the provisions of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW by all required filers. Any documents, records, reports, computer files, papers, or materials provided to the commission for use in conducting audits and investigations must be returned to the candidate, campaign, or political committee from which they were received within one week of the commission's completion of an audit or field investigation.

Sec. 103   RCW 42.17.367 and 1999 c 401 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     By February 1, 2000, the commission shall operate a web site or contract for the operation of a web site that allows access to reports, copies of reports, or copies of data and information submitted in reports, filed with the commission under RCW 42.17.040, 42.17.065, 42.17.080, 42.17.100, and 42.17.105. By January 1, 2001, the web site shall allow access to reports, copies of reports, or copies of data and information submitted in reports, filed with the commission under RCW 42.17.150, 42.17.170, 42.17.175, and 42.17.180. In addition, the commission shall attempt to make available via the web site other public records submitted to or generated by the commission that are required by ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW to be available for public use or inspection.

Sec. 104   RCW 42.17.369 and 2000 c 237 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 1999, the commission shall make available to candidates, public officials, and political committees that are required to file reports under ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW an electronic filing alternative for submitting financial affairs reports, contribution reports, and expenditure reports, including but not limited to filing by diskette, modem, satellite, or the internet.
     (2) By January 1, 2002, the commission shall make available to lobbyists and lobbyists' employers required to file reports under RCW 42.17.150, 42.17.170, 42.17.175, or 42.17.180 an electronic filing alternative for submitting these reports including but not limited to filing by diskette, modem, satellite, or the internet.
     (3) The commission shall make available to candidates, public officials, political committees, lobbyists, and lobbyists' employers an electronic copy of the appropriate reporting forms at no charge.

Sec. 105   RCW 42.17.3691 and 2000 c 237 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning January 1, 2002, each candidate or political committee that expended twenty-five thousand dollars or more in the preceding year or expects to expend twenty-five thousand dollars or more in the current year shall file all contribution reports and expenditure reports required by ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW by the electronic alternative provided by the commission under RCW 42.17.369 (as recodified by this act). The commission may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for candidates whose authorized committees lack the technological ability to file reports using the electronic alternative provided by the commission.
     (2) Beginning January 1, 2004, each candidate or political committee that expended ten thousand dollars or more in the preceding year or expects to expend ten thousand dollars or more in the current year shall file all contribution reports and expenditure reports required by ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW by the electronic alternative provided by the commission under RCW 42.17.369 (as recodified by this act). The commission may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for candidates whose authorized committees lack the technological ability to file reports using the electronic alternative provided by the commission.
     (3) Failure by a candidate or political committee to comply with this section is a violation of this chapter.

Sec. 106   RCW 42.17.370 and 1995 c 397 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commission is empowered to:
     (1) Adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind suitable administrative rules to carry out the policies and purposes of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW, which rules shall be adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW. Any rule relating to campaign finance, political advertising, or related forms that would otherwise take effect after June 30th of a general election year shall take effect no earlier than the day following the general election in that year;
     (2) Appoint and set, within the limits established by the committee on agency officials' salaries under RCW 43.03.028, the compensation of an executive director who shall perform such duties and have such powers as the commission may prescribe and delegate to implement and enforce ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW efficiently and effectively. The commission shall not delegate its authority to adopt, amend, or rescind rules nor shall it delegate authority to determine whether an actual violation of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW has occurred or to assess penalties for such violations;
     (3) Prepare and publish such reports and technical studies as in its judgment will tend to promote the purposes of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW, including reports and statistics concerning campaign financing, lobbying, financial interests of elected officials, and enforcement of this chapter;
     (4) Make from time to time, on its own motion, audits and field investigations;
     (5) Make public the time and date of any formal hearing set to determine whether a violation has occurred, the question or questions to be considered, and the results thereof;
     (6) Administer oaths and affirmations, issue subpoenas, and compel attendance, take evidence and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memorandums, or other records relevant or material for the purpose of any investigation authorized under ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW, or any other proceeding under ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW;
     (7) Adopt and promulgate a code of fair campaign practices;
     (8) Relieve, by rule, candidates or political committees of obligations to comply with the provisions of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW relating to election campaigns, if they have not received contributions nor made expenditures in connection with any election campaign of more than one thousand dollars;
     (9) Adopt rules prescribing reasonable requirements for keeping accounts of and reporting on a quarterly basis costs incurred by state agencies, counties, cities, and other municipalities and political subdivisions in preparing, publishing, and distributing legislative information. The term "legislative information," for the purposes of this subsection, means books, pamphlets, reports, and other materials prepared, published, or distributed at substantial cost, a substantial purpose of which is to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation. The state auditor in his or her regular examination of each agency under chapter 43.09 RCW shall review the rules, accounts, and reports and make appropriate findings, comments, and recommendations in his or her examination reports concerning those agencies;
     (10) After hearing, by order approved and ratified by a majority of the membership of the commission, suspend, or modify any of the reporting requirements of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW in a particular case if it finds that literal application of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW works a manifestly unreasonable hardship and if it also finds that the suspension or modification will not frustrate the purposes of the chapter. The commission shall find that a manifestly unreasonable hardship exists if reporting the name of an entity required to be reported under RCW 42.17.241(1)(g)(ii) would be likely to adversely affect the competitive position of any entity in which the person filing the report or any member of his or her immediate family holds any office, directorship, general partnership interest, or an ownership interest of ten percent or more. Any suspension or modification shall be only to the extent necessary to substantially relieve the hardship. The commission shall act to suspend or modify any reporting requirements only if it determines that facts exist that are clear and convincing proof of the findings required under this section. Requests for renewals of reporting modifications may be heard in a brief adjudicative proceeding as set forth in RCW 34.05.482 through 34.05.494 and in accordance with the standards established in this section. No initial request may be heard in a brief adjudicative proceeding and no request for renewal may be heard in a brief adjudicative proceeding if the initial request was granted more than three years previously or if the applicant is holding an office or position of employment different from the office or position held when the initial request was granted. The commission shall adopt administrative rules governing the proceedings. Any citizen has standing to bring an action in Thurston county superior court to contest the propriety of any order entered under this section within one year from the date of the entry of the order; and
     (11) Revise, at least once every five years but no more often than every two years, the monetary reporting thresholds and reporting code values of ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW. The revisions shall be only for the purpose of recognizing economic changes as reflected by an inflationary index recommended by the office of financial management. The revisions shall be guided by the change in the index for the period commencing with the month of December preceding the last revision and concluding with the month of December preceding the month the revision is adopted. As to each of the three general categories of this chapter (reports of campaign finance, reports of lobbyist activity, and reports of the financial affairs of elected and appointed officials), the revisions shall equally affect all thresholds within each category. Revisions shall be adopted as rules under chapter 34.05 RCW. The first revision authorized by this subsection shall reflect economic changes from the time of the last legislative enactment affecting the respective code or threshold through December 1985;
     (12) Develop and provide to filers a system for certification of reports required under ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW which are transmitted by facsimile or electronically to the commission. Implementation of the program is contingent on the availability of funds.

Sec. 107   RCW 42.17.375 and 1983 c 294 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     With regard to the reports required by ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW to be filed with a county auditor or county elections official, the commission shall adopt rules governing the arrangement, handling, indexing, and disclosing of those reports by the county auditor or county elections official. The rules shall ensure ease of access by the public to the reports and shall include, but not be limited to, requirements for indexing the reports by the names of candidates or political committees and by the ballot proposition for or against which a political committee is receiving contributions or making expenditures.

Sec. 108   RCW 42.17.380 and 1982 c 35 s 196 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the secretary of state shall be designated as a place where the public may file papers or correspond with the commission and receive any form or instruction from the commission.
     (2) The attorney general, through his or her office, shall supply such assistance as the commission may require in order to carry out its responsibilities under ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW. The commission may employ attorneys who are neither the attorney general nor an assistant attorney general to carry out any function of the attorney general prescribed in ((this)) chapter 42.17 RCW.

Sec. 109   RCW 42.30.120 and 1985 c 69 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each member of the governing body who attends a meeting of such governing body where action is taken in violation of any provision of this chapter applicable to him or her, with knowledge of the fact that the meeting is in violation thereof, shall be subject to personal liability in the form of a civil penalty in the amount of one hundred dollars. The civil penalty shall be assessed by a judge of the superior court and an action to enforce this penalty may be brought by any person. A violation of this chapter does not constitute a crime and assessment of the civil penalty by a judge shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a criminal offense.
     (2) Any person may file a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter with the public disclosure commission for investigation and adjudication pursuant to its powers under chapter 43.-- RCW (the new chapter created in section 301 of this act).
     (3) Any person who prevails against a public agency in any action in the courts for a violation of this chapter shall be awarded all costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with such legal action. Pursuant to RCW 4.84.185, any public agency ((who)) that prevails in any action in the courts for a violation of this chapter may be awarded reasonable expenses and attorneys' fees upon final judgment and written findings by the trial judge that the action was frivolous and advanced without reasonable cause.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 110   A new section is added to chapter 42.56 RCW to read as follows:
     Whenever a state or local agency concludes that a public record is exempt from disclosure and denies a person opportunity to inspect or copy a public record for that reason, the person may file a complaint with the public disclosure commission. The public disclosure commission shall investigate and adjudicate the complaint pursuant to its powers under chapter 43.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 301 of this act).

Sec. 201   RCW 18.25.210 and 2008 c 134 s 31 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission may conduct a pilot project to evaluate the effect of granting the commission additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing. If the commission intends to conduct a pilot project, it must provide a notice in writing to the secretary by June 1, 2008. If the commission chooses to conduct a pilot project, the pilot project shall begin on July 1, 2008, and conclude on June 30, 2013.
     (2) The pilot project shall include the following provisions:
     (a) That the secretary shall employ an executive director that is:
     (i) Hired by and serves at the pleasure of the commission;
     (ii) Exempt from the provisions of the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW and whose salary is established by the commission in accordance with RCW 43.03.028 and 42.17.370 (as recodified by this act); and
     (iii) Responsible for performing all administrative duties of the commission, including preparing an annual budget, and any other duties as delegated to the executive director by the commission;
     (b) Consistent with the budgeting and accounting act:
     (i) With regard to budget for the remainder of the 2007-2009 biennium, the commission has authority to spend the remaining funds allocated with respect to chiropractors licensed under this chapter; and
     (ii) Beginning with the 2009-2011 biennium, the commission is responsible for proposing its own biennial budget which the secretary must submit to the office of financial management;
     (c) That, prior to adopting credentialing fees under RCW 43.70.250, the secretary shall collaborate with the commission to determine the appropriate fees necessary to support the activities of the commission;
     (d) That, prior to the secretary exercising the secretary's authority to adopt uniform rules and guidelines, or any other actions that might impact the licensing or disciplinary authority of the commission, the secretary shall first meet with the commission to determine how those rules or guidelines, or changes to rules or guidelines, might impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties. If the commission, in consultation with the secretary, determines that the proposed rules or guidelines, or changes to existing rules or guidelines, will negatively impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties, then the individual commission shall collaborate with the secretary to develop alternative solutions to mitigate the impacts. If an alternative solution cannot be reached, the parties may resolve the dispute through a mediator as set forth in (f) of this subsection;
     (e) That the commission shall negotiate with the secretary to develop performance-based expectations, including identification of key performance measures. The performance expectations should focus on consistent, timely regulation of health care professionals; and
     (f) That in the event there is a disagreement between the commission and the secretary, that is unable to be resolved through negotiation, a representative of both parties shall agree on the designation of a third party to mediate the dispute.
     (3) By December 15, 2013, the secretary, the commission, and the other commissions conducting similar pilot projects under RCW 18.71.430, 18.79.390, and 18.32.765, shall report to the governor and the legislature on the results of the pilot project. The report shall:
     (a) Compare the effectiveness of licensing and disciplinary activities of each commission during the pilot project with the licensing and disciplinary activities of the commission prior to the pilot project and the disciplinary activities of other disciplining authorities during the same time period as the pilot project;
     (b) Compare the efficiency of each commission with respect to the timeliness and personnel resources during the pilot project to the efficiency of the commission prior to the pilot project and the efficiency of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (c) Compare the budgetary activity of each commission during the pilot project to the budgetary activity of the commission prior to the pilot project and to the budgetary activity of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (d) Evaluate each commission's regulatory activities, including timelines, consistency of decision making, and performance levels in comparison to other disciplining authorities; and
     (e) Review summaries of national research and data regarding regulatory effectiveness and patient safety.
     (4) The secretary shall employ staff that are hired and managed by the executive director provided that nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement.

Sec. 202   RCW 18.32.765 and 2008 c 134 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission may conduct a pilot project to evaluate the effect of granting the commission additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing. If the commission intends to conduct a pilot project, it must provide a notice in writing to the secretary by June 1, 2008. If the commission chooses to conduct a pilot project, the pilot project shall begin on July 1, 2008, and conclude on June 30, 2013.
     (2) The pilot project shall include the following provisions:
     (a) That the secretary shall employ an executive director that is:
     (i) Hired by and serves at the pleasure of the commission;
     (ii) Exempt from the provisions of the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW and whose salary is established by the commission in accordance with RCW 43.03.028 and 42.17.370 (as recodified by this act); and
     (iii) Responsible for performing all administrative duties of the commission, including preparing an annual budget, and any other duties as delegated to the executive director by the commission;
     (b) Consistent with the budgeting and accounting act:
     (i) With regard to budget for the remainder of the 2007-2009 biennium, the commission has authority to spend the remaining funds allocated with respect to its professions, dentists licensed under this chapter and expanded function dental auxiliaries and dental assistants regulated under chapter 18.260 RCW; and
     (ii) Beginning with the 2009-2011 biennium, the commission is responsible for proposing its own biennial budget which the secretary must submit to the office of financial management;
     (c) That, prior to adopting credentialing fees under RCW 43.70.250, the secretary shall collaborate with the commission to determine the appropriate fees necessary to support the activities of the commission;
     (d) That, prior to the secretary exercising the secretary's authority to adopt uniform rules and guidelines, or any other actions that might impact the licensing or disciplinary authority of the commission, the secretary shall first meet with the commission to determine how those rules or guidelines, or changes to rules or guidelines, might impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties. If the commission, in consultation with the secretary, determines that the proposed rules or guidelines, or changes to existing rules or guidelines, will negatively impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties, then the individual commission shall collaborate with the secretary to develop alternative solutions to mitigate the impacts. If an alternative solution cannot be reached, the parties may resolve the dispute through a mediator as set forth in (f) of this subsection;
     (e) That the commission shall negotiate with the secretary to develop performance-based expectations, including identification of key performance measures. The performance expectations should focus on consistent, timely regulation of health care professionals; and
     (f) That in the event there is a disagreement between the commission and the secretary, that is unable to be resolved through negotiation, a representative of both parties shall agree on the designation of a third party to mediate the dispute.
     (3) By December 15, 2013, the secretary, the commission, and the other commissions conducting similar pilot projects under RCW 18.71.430, 18.79.390, and 18.25.210, shall report to the governor and the legislature on the results of the pilot project. The report shall:
     (a) Compare the effectiveness of licensing and disciplinary activities of each commission during the pilot project with the licensing and disciplinary activities of the commission prior to the pilot project and the disciplinary activities of other disciplining authorities during the same time period as the pilot project;
     (b) Compare the efficiency of each commission with respect to the timeliness and personnel resources during the pilot project to the efficiency of the commission prior to the pilot project and the efficiency of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (c) Compare the budgetary activity of each commission during the pilot project to the budgetary activity of the commission prior to the pilot project and to the budgetary activity of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (d) Evaluate each commission's regulatory activities, including timelines, consistency of decision making, and performance levels in comparison to other disciplining authorities; and
     (e) Review summaries of national research and data regarding regulatory effectiveness and patient safety.
     (4) The secretary shall employ staff that are hired and managed by the executive director provided that nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement.

Sec. 203   RCW 18.71.430 and 2008 c 134 s 29 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall conduct a pilot project to evaluate the effect of granting the commission additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing. The pilot project shall begin on July 1, 2008, and conclude on June 30, 2013.
     (2) The pilot project shall include the following provisions:
     (a) That the secretary shall employ an executive director that is:
     (i) Hired by and serves at the pleasure of the commission;
     (ii) Exempt from the provisions of the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW and whose salary is established by the commission in accordance with RCW 43.03.028 and 42.17.370 (as recodified by this act); and
     (iii) Responsible for performing all administrative duties of the commission, including preparing an annual budget, and any other duties as delegated to the executive director by the commission;
     (b) Consistent with the budgeting and accounting act:
     (i) With regard to budget for the remainder of the 2007-2009 biennium, the commission has authority to spend the remaining funds allocated with respect to its professions, physicians regulated under this chapter and physician assistants regulated under chapter 18.71A RCW; and
     (ii) Beginning with the 2009-2011 biennium, the commission is responsible for proposing its own biennial budget which the secretary must submit to the office of financial management;
     (c) That, prior to adopting credentialing fees under RCW 43.70.250, the secretary shall collaborate with the commission to determine the appropriate fees necessary to support the activities of the commission;
     (d) That, prior to the secretary exercising the secretary's authority to adopt uniform rules and guidelines, or any other actions that might impact the licensing or disciplinary authority of the commission, the secretary shall first meet with the commission to determine how those rules or guidelines, or changes to rules or guidelines, might impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties. If the commission, in consultation with the secretary, determines that the proposed rules or guidelines, or changes to existing rules or guidelines, will negatively impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties, then the individual commission shall collaborate with the secretary to develop alternative solutions to mitigate the impacts. If an alternative solution cannot be reached, the parties may resolve the dispute through a mediator as set forth in (f) of this subsection;
     (e) That the commission shall negotiate with the secretary to develop performance-based expectations, including identification of key performance measures. The performance expectations should focus on consistent, timely regulation of health care professionals; and
     (f) That in the event there is a disagreement between the commission and the secretary, that is unable to be resolved through negotiation, a representative of both parties shall agree on the designation of a third party to mediate the dispute.
     (3) By December 15, 2013, the secretary, the commission, and the other commissions conducting similar pilot projects under RCW 18.79.390, 18.25.210, and 18.32.765, shall report to the governor and the legislature on the results of the pilot project. The report shall:
     (a) Compare the effectiveness of licensing and disciplinary activities of each commission during the pilot project with the licensing and disciplinary activities of the commission prior to the pilot project and the disciplinary activities of other disciplining authorities during the same time period as the pilot project;
     (b) Compare the efficiency of each commission with respect to the timeliness and personnel resources during the pilot project to the efficiency of the commission prior to the pilot project and the efficiency of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (c) Compare the budgetary activity of each commission during the pilot project to the budgetary activity of the commission prior to the pilot project and to the budgetary activity of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (d) Evaluate each commission's regulatory activities, including timelines, consistency of decision making, and performance levels in comparison to other disciplining authorities; and
     (e) Review summaries of national research and data regarding regulatory effectiveness and patient safety.
     (4) The secretary shall employ staff that are hired and managed by the executive director provided that nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement.

Sec. 204   RCW 18.79.390 and 2008 c 134 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission shall conduct a pilot project to evaluate the effect of granting the commission additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing. The pilot project shall begin on July 1, 2008, and conclude on June 30, 2013.
     (2) The pilot project shall include the following provisions:
     (a) That the secretary shall employ an executive director that is:
     (i) Hired by and serves at the pleasure of the commission;
     (ii) Exempt from the provisions of the civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW and whose salary is established by the commission in accordance with RCW 43.03.028 and 42.17.370 (as recodified by this act); and
     (iii) Responsible for performing all administrative duties of the commission, including preparing an annual budget, and any other duties as delegated to the executive director by the commission;
     (b) Consistent with the budgeting and accounting act:
     (i) With regard to budget for the remainder of the 2007-2009 biennium, the commission has authority to spend the remaining funds allocated with respect to advanced registered nurses, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses regulated under this chapter; and
     (ii) Beginning with the 2009-2011 biennium, the commission is responsible for proposing its own biennial budget which the secretary must submit to the office of financial management;
     (c) That, prior to adopting credentialing fees under RCW 43.70.250, the secretary shall collaborate with the commission to determine the appropriate fees necessary to support the activities of the commission;
     (d) That, prior to the secretary exercising the secretary's authority to adopt uniform rules and guidelines, or any other actions that might impact the licensing or disciplinary authority of the commission, the secretary shall first meet with the commission to determine how those rules or guidelines, or changes to rules or guidelines, might impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties. If the commission, in consultation with the secretary, determines that the proposed rules or guidelines, or changes to existing rules or guidelines, will negatively impact the commission's ability to effectively carry out its statutory duties, then the individual commission shall collaborate with the secretary to develop alternative solutions to mitigate the impacts. If an alternative solution cannot be reached, the parties may resolve the dispute through a mediator as set forth in (f) of this subsection;
     (e) That the commission shall negotiate with the secretary to develop performance-based expectations, including identification of key performance measures. The performance expectations should focus on consistent, timely regulation of health care professionals; and
     (f) That in the event there is a disagreement between the commission and the secretary, that is unable to be resolved through negotiation, a representative of both parties shall agree on the designation of a third party to mediate the dispute.
     (3) By December 15, 2013, the secretary, the commission, and the other commissions conducting similar pilot projects under RCW 18.71.430, 18.25.210, and 18.32.765, shall report to the governor and the legislature on the results of the pilot project. The report shall:
     (a) Compare the effectiveness of licensing and disciplinary activities of each commission during the pilot project with the licensing and disciplinary activities of the commission prior to the pilot project and the disciplinary activities of other disciplining authorities during the same time period as the pilot project;
     (b) Compare the efficiency of each commission with respect to the timeliness and personnel resources during the pilot project to the efficiency of the commission prior to the pilot project and the efficiency of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (c) Compare the budgetary activity of each commission during the pilot project to the budgetary activity of the commission prior to the pilot project and to the budgetary activity of other disciplining authorities during the same period as the pilot project;
     (d) Evaluate each commission's regulatory activities, including timelines, consistency of decision making, and performance levels in comparison to other disciplining authorities; and
     (e) Review summaries of national research and data regarding regulatory effectiveness and patient safety.
     (4) The secretary shall employ staff that are hired and managed by the executive director provided that nothing contained in this section may be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement.

Sec. 205   RCW 29A.04.225 and 2005 c 274 s 248 are each amended to read as follows:
     Each county auditor or county elections official shall ensure that reports filed pursuant to chapter 42.56 RCW are arranged, handled, indexed, and disclosed in a manner consistent with the rules of the public disclosure commission adopted under RCW 42.17.375 (as recodified by this act).

Sec. 206   RCW 42.17.020 and 2008 c 6 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Actual malice" means to act with knowledge of falsity or with reckless disregard as to truth or falsity.
     (2) "Agency" includes all state agencies and all local agencies. "State agency" includes every state office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other state agency. "Local agency" includes every county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special purpose district, or any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency thereof, or other local public agency.
     (3) "Authorized committee" means the political committee authorized by a candidate, or by the public official against whom recall charges have been filed, to accept contributions or make expenditures on behalf of the candidate or public official.
     (4) "Ballot proposition" means any "measure" as defined by RCW 29A.04.091, or any initiative, recall, or referendum proposition proposed to be submitted to the voters of the state or any municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other voting constituency from and after the time when the proposition has been initially filed with the appropriate election officer of that constituency prior to its circulation for signatures.
     (5) "Benefit" means a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary advantage, or the avoidance of a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary disadvantage.
     (6) "Bona fide political party" means:
     (a) An organization that has filed a valid certificate of nomination with the secretary of state under chapter 29A.20 RCW;
     (b) The governing body of the state organization of a major political party, as defined in RCW 29A.04.086, that is the body authorized by the charter or bylaws of the party to exercise authority on behalf of the state party; or
     (c) The county central committee or legislative district committee of a major political party. There may be only one legislative district committee for each party in each legislative district.
     (7) "Depository" means a bank designated by a candidate or political committee pursuant to RCW 42.17.050.
     (8) "Treasurer" and "deputy treasurer" mean the individuals appointed by a candidate or political committee, pursuant to RCW 42.17.050, to perform the duties specified in that section.
     (9) "Candidate" means any individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office. An individual seeks nomination or election when he or she first:
     (a) Receives contributions or makes expenditures or reserves space or facilities with intent to promote his or her candidacy for office;
     (b) Announces publicly or files for office;
     (c) Purchases commercial advertising space or broadcast time to promote his or her candidacy; or
     (d) Gives his or her consent to another person to take on behalf of the individual any of the actions in (a) or (c) of this subsection.
     (10) "Caucus political committee" means a political committee organized and maintained by the members of a major political party in the state senate or state house of representatives.
     (11) "Commercial advertiser" means any person who sells the service of communicating messages or producing printed material for broadcast or distribution to the general public or segments of the general public whether through the use of newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, billboard companies, direct mail advertising companies, printing companies, or otherwise.
     (12) "Commission" means the agency established under RCW 42.17.350 (as recodified by this act).
     (13) "Compensation" unless the context requires a narrower meaning, includes payment in any form for real or personal property or services of any kind: PROVIDED, That for the purpose of compliance with RCW 42.17.241, the term "compensation" shall not include per diem allowances or other payments made by a governmental entity to reimburse a public official for expenses incurred while the official is engaged in the official business of the governmental entity.
     (14) "Continuing political committee" means a political committee that is an organization of continuing existence not established in anticipation of any particular election campaign.
     (15)(a) "Contribution" includes:
     (i) A loan, gift, deposit, subscription, forgiveness of indebtedness, donation, advance, pledge, payment, transfer of funds between political committees, or anything of value, including personal and professional services for less than full consideration;
     (ii) An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a political committee, the person or persons named on the candidate's or committee's registration form who direct expenditures on behalf of the candidate or committee, or their agents;
     (iii) The financing by a person of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of broadcast, written, graphic, or other form of political advertising or electioneering communication prepared by a candidate, a political committee, or its authorized agent;
     (iv) Sums paid for tickets to fund-raising events such as dinners and parties, except for the actual cost of the consumables furnished at the event.
     (b) "Contribution" does not include:
     (i) Standard interest on money deposited in a political committee's account;
     (ii) Ordinary home hospitality;
     (iii) A contribution received by a candidate or political committee that is returned to the contributor within five business days of the date on which it is received by the candidate or political committee;
     (iv) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is of primary interest to the general public, that is in a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium, and that is not controlled by a candidate or a political committee;
     (v) An internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization;
     (vi) The rendering of personal services of the sort commonly performed by volunteer campaign workers, or incidental expenses personally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in excess of fifty dollars personally paid for by the worker. "Volunteer services," for the purposes of this section, means services or labor for which the individual is not compensated by any person;
     (vii) Messages in the form of reader boards, banners, or yard or window signs displayed on a person's own property or property occupied by a person. However, a facility used for such political advertising for which a rental charge is normally made must be reported as an in-kind contribution and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the person providing the facility;
     (viii) Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of:
     (A) A political party or caucus political committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the person rendering such services; or
     (B) A candidate or an authorized committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and if the services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with state election or public disclosure laws; or
     (ix) The performance of ministerial functions by a person on behalf of two or more candidates or political committees either as volunteer services defined in (b)(vi) of this subsection or for payment by the candidate or political committee for whom the services are performed as long as:
     (A) The person performs solely ministerial functions;
     (B) A person who is paid by two or more candidates or political committees is identified by the candidates and political committees on whose behalf services are performed as part of their respective statements of organization under RCW 42.17.040; and
     (C) The person does not disclose, except as required by law, any information regarding a candidate's or committee's plans, projects, activities, or needs, or regarding a candidate's or committee's contributions or expenditures that is not already publicly available from campaign reports filed with the commission, or otherwise engage in activity that constitutes a contribution under (a)(ii) of this subsection.
     A person who performs ministerial functions under this subsection (15)(b)(ix) is not considered an agent of the candidate or committee as long as he or she has no authority to authorize expenditures or make decisions on behalf of the candidate or committee.
     (c) Contributions other than money or its equivalent are deemed to have a monetary value equivalent to the fair market value of the contribution. Services or property or rights furnished at less than their fair market value for the purpose of assisting any candidate or political committee are deemed a contribution. Such a contribution must be reported as an in-kind contribution at its fair market value and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the provider.
     (16) "Elected official" means any person elected at a general or special election to any public office, and any person appointed to fill a vacancy in any such office.
     (17) "Election" includes any primary, general, or special election for public office and any election in which a ballot proposition is submitted to the voters: PROVIDED, That an election in which the qualifications for voting include other than those requirements set forth in Article VI, section 1 (Amendment 63) of the Constitution of the state of Washington shall not be considered an election for purposes of this chapter.
     (18) "Election campaign" means any campaign in support of or in opposition to a candidate for election to public office and any campaign in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot proposition.
     (19) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day of January after the date of the last previous general election for the office that the candidate seeks and ending on December 31st after the next election for the office. In the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in an office, "election cycle" means the period beginning on the day the vacancy occurs and ending on December 31st after the special election.
     (20) "Electioneering communication" means any broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio transmission, United States postal service mailing, billboard, newspaper, or periodical that:
     (a) Clearly identifies a candidate for a state, local, or judicial office either by specifically naming the candidate, or identifying the candidate without using the candidate's name;
     (b) Is broadcast, transmitted, mailed, erected, distributed, or otherwise published within sixty days before any election for that office in the jurisdiction in which the candidate is seeking election; and
     (c) Either alone, or in combination with one or more communications identifying the candidate by the same sponsor during the sixty days before an election, has a fair market value of five thousand dollars or more.
     (21) "Electioneering communication" does not include:
     (a) Usual and customary advertising of a business owned by a candidate, even if the candidate is mentioned in the advertising when the candidate has been regularly mentioned in that advertising appearing at least twelve months preceding his or her becoming a candidate;
     (b) Advertising for candidate debates or forums when the advertising is paid for by or on behalf of the debate or forum sponsor, so long as two or more candidates for the same position have been invited to participate in the debate or forum;
     (c) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is:
     (i) Of primary interest to the general public;
     (ii) In a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium; and
     (iii) Not a medium controlled by a candidate or a political committee;
     (d) Slate cards and sample ballots;
     (e) Advertising for books, films, dissertations, or similar works (i) written by a candidate when the candidate entered into a contract for such publications or media at least twelve months before becoming a candidate, or (ii) written about a candidate;
     (f) Public service announcements;
     (g) A mailed internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization;
     (h) An expenditure by or contribution to the authorized committee of a candidate for state, local, or judicial office; or
     (i) Any other communication exempted by the commission through rule consistent with the intent of this chapter.
     (22) "Expenditure" includes a payment, contribution, subscription, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure. The term "expenditure" also includes a promise to pay, a payment, or a transfer of anything of value in exchange for goods, services, property, facilities, or anything of value for the purpose of assisting, benefiting, or honoring any public official or candidate, or assisting in furthering or opposing any election campaign. For the purposes of this chapter, agreements to make expenditures, contracts, and promises to pay may be reported as estimated obligations until actual payment is made. The term "expenditure" shall not include the partial or complete repayment by a candidate or political committee of the principal of a loan, the receipt of which loan has been properly reported.
     (23) "Final report" means the report described as a final report in RCW 42.17.080(2).
     (24) "General election" for the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 means the election that results in the election of a person to a state office. It does not include a primary.
     (25) "Gift," is as defined in RCW 42.52.010.
     (26) "Immediate family" includes the spouse or domestic partner, dependent children, and other dependent relatives, if living in the household. For the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790, "immediate family" means an individual's spouse or domestic partner, and child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual and the spouse or the domestic partner of any such person and a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual's spouse or domestic partner and the spouse or the domestic partner of any such person.
     (27) "Incumbent" means a person who is in present possession of an elected office.
     (28) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure that has each of the following elements:
     (a) It is made in support of or in opposition to a candidate for office by a person who is not (i) a candidate for that office, (ii) an authorized committee of that candidate for that office, (iii) a person who has received the candidate's encouragement or approval to make the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office, or (iv) a person with whom the candidate has collaborated for the purpose of making the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office;
     (b) The expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising that either specifically names the candidate supported or opposed, or clearly and beyond any doubt identifies the candidate without using the candidate's name; and
     (c) The expenditure, alone or in conjunction with another expenditure or other expenditures of the same person in support of or opposition to that candidate, has a value of five hundred dollars or more. A series of expenditures, each of which is under five hundred dollars, constitutes one independent expenditure if their cumulative value is five hundred dollars or more.
     (29)(a) "Intermediary" means an individual who transmits a contribution to a candidate or committee from another person unless the contribution is from the individual's employer, immediate family as defined for purposes of RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790, or an association to which the individual belongs.
     (b) A treasurer or a candidate is not an intermediary for purposes of the committee that the treasurer or candidate serves.
     (c) A professional fund-raiser is not an intermediary if the fund-raiser is compensated for fund-raising services at the usual and customary rate.
     (d) A volunteer hosting a fund-raising event at the individual's home is not an intermediary for purposes of that event.
     (30) "Legislation" means bills, resolutions, motions, amendments, nominations, and other matters pending or proposed in either house of the state legislature, and includes any other matter that may be the subject of action by either house or any committee of the legislature and all bills and resolutions that, having passed both houses, are pending approval by the governor.
     (31) "Lobby" and "lobbying" each mean attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington, or the adoption or rejection of any rule, standard, rate, or other legislative enactment of any state agency under the state administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. Neither "lobby" nor "lobbying" includes an association's or other organization's act of communicating with the members of that association or organization.
     (32) "Lobbyist" includes any person who lobbies either in his or her own or another's behalf.
     (33) "Lobbyist's employer" means the person or persons by whom a lobbyist is employed and all persons by whom he or she is compensated for acting as a lobbyist.
     (34) "Ministerial functions" means an act or duty carried out as part of the duties of an administrative office without exercise of personal judgment or discretion.
     (35) "Participate" means that, with respect to a particular election, an entity:
     (a) Makes either a monetary or in-kind contribution to a candidate;
     (b) Makes an independent expenditure or electioneering communication in support of or opposition to a candidate;
     (c) Endorses a candidate prior to contributions being made by a subsidiary corporation or local unit with respect to that candidate or that candidate's opponent;
     (d) Makes a recommendation regarding whether a candidate should be supported or opposed prior to a contribution being made by a subsidiary corporation or local unit with respect to that candidate or that candidate's opponent; or
     (e) Directly or indirectly collaborates or consults with a subsidiary corporation or local unit on matters relating to the support of or opposition to a candidate, including, but not limited to, the amount of a contribution, when a contribution should be given, and what assistance, services or independent expenditures, or electioneering communications, if any, will be made or should be made in support of or opposition to a candidate.
     (36) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, public or private corporation, association, federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency however constituted, candidate, committee, political committee, political party, executive committee thereof, or any other organization or group of persons, however organized.
     (37) "Person in interest" means the person who is the subject of a record or any representative designated by that person, except that if that person is under a legal disability, the term "person in interest" means and includes the parent or duly appointed legal representative.
     (38) "Political advertising" includes any advertising displays, newspaper ads, billboards, signs, brochures, articles, tabloids, flyers, letters, radio or television presentations, or other means of mass communication, used for the purpose of appealing, directly or indirectly, for votes or for financial or other support or opposition in any election campaign.
     (39) "Political committee" means any person (except a candidate or an individual dealing with his or her own funds or property) having the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in support of, or opposition to, any candidate or any ballot proposition.
     (40) "Primary" for the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 means the procedure for nominating a candidate to state office under chapter 29A.52 RCW or any other primary for an election that uses, in large measure, the procedures established in chapter 29A.52 RCW.
     (41) "Public office" means any federal, state, judicial, county, city, town, school district, port district, special district, or other state political subdivision elective office.
     (42) "Public record" includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. For the office of the secretary of the senate and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives, public records means legislative records as defined in RCW 40.14.100 and also means the following: All budget and financial records; personnel leave, travel, and payroll records; records of legislative sessions; reports submitted to the legislature; and any other record designated a public record by any official action of the senate or the house of representatives.
     (43) "Recall campaign" means the period of time beginning on the date of the filing of recall charges under RCW 29A.56.120 and ending thirty days after the recall election.
     (44) "Sponsor of an electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising" means the person paying for the electioneering communication, independent expenditure, or political advertising. If a person acts as an agent for another or is reimbursed by another for the payment, the original source of the payment is the sponsor.
     (45) "State legislative office" means the office of a member of the state house of representatives or the office of a member of the state senate.
     (46) "State office" means state legislative office or the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction, state auditor, or state treasurer.
     (47) "State official" means a person who holds a state office.
     (48) "Surplus funds" mean, in the case of a political committee or candidate, the balance of contributions that remain in the possession or control of that committee or candidate subsequent to the election for which the contributions were received, and that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay remaining debts incurred by the committee or candidate prior to that election. In the case of a continuing political committee, "surplus funds" mean those contributions remaining in the possession or control of the committee that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay all remaining debts when it makes its final report under RCW 42.17.065.
     (49) "Writing" means handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, and every other means of recording any form of communication or representation, including, but not limited to, letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, motion picture, film and video recordings, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, diskettes, sound recordings, and other documents including existing data compilations from which information may be obtained or translated.
     As used in this chapter, the singular shall take the plural and any gender, the other, as the context requires.

Sec. 207   RCW 42.17.3691 and 2000 c 237 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning January 1, 2002, each candidate or political committee that expended twenty-five thousand dollars or more in the preceding year or expects to expend twenty-five thousand dollars or more in the current year shall file all contribution reports and expenditure reports required by this chapter by the electronic alternative provided by the commission under RCW 42.17.369 (as recodified by this act). The commission may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for candidates whose authorized committees lack the technological ability to file reports using the electronic alternative provided by the commission.
     (2) Beginning January 1, 2004, each candidate or political committee that expended ten thousand dollars or more in the preceding year or expects to expend ten thousand dollars or more in the current year shall file all contribution reports and expenditure reports required by this chapter by the electronic alternative provided by the commission under RCW 42.17.369 (as recodified by this act). The commission may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for candidates whose authorized committees lack the technological ability to file reports using the electronic alternative provided by the commission.
     (3) Failure by a candidate or political committee to comply with this section is a violation of this chapter.

Sec. 208   RCW 42.17.395 and 2006 c 315 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commission may (a) determine whether an actual violation of this chapter has occurred; and (b) issue and enforce an appropriate order following such determination.
     (2) The commission, in cases where it chooses to determine whether an actual violation has occurred, shall hold a hearing pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, to make such determination. Any order that the commission issues under this section shall be pursuant to such hearing.
     (3) In lieu of holding a hearing or issuing an order under this section, the commission may refer the matter to the attorney general or other enforcement agency as provided in RCW 42.17.360 (as recodified by this act).
     (4) The person against whom an order is directed under this section shall be designated as the respondent. The order may require the respondent to cease and desist from the activity that constitutes a violation and in addition, or alternatively, may impose one or more of the remedies provided in RCW 42.17.390 (2) through (5). No individual penalty assessed by the commission may exceed one thousand seven hundred dollars, and in any case where multiple violations are involved in a single complaint or hearing, the maximum aggregate penalty may not exceed four thousand two hundred dollars.
     (5) An order issued by the commission under this section shall be subject to judicial review under the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. If the commission's order is not satisfied and no petition for review is filed within thirty days as provided in RCW 34.05.542, the commission may petition a court of competent jurisdiction of any county in which a petition for review could be filed under that section, for an order of enforcement. Proceedings in connection with the commission's petition shall be in accordance with RCW 42.17.397.

Sec. 209   RCW 42.17.647 and 2006 c 348 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commission shall adopt rules to carry out the policies of chapter 348, Laws of 2006 and is not subject to the time restrictions of RCW 42.17.370(1) (as recodified by this act).

Sec. 210   RCW 42.17.660 and 2005 c 445 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     For purposes of this chapter:
     (1) A contribution by a political committee with funds that have all been contributed by one person who exercises exclusive control over the distribution of the funds of the political committee is a contribution by the controlling person.
     (2) Two or more entities are treated as a single entity if one of the two or more entities is a subsidiary, branch, or department of a corporation that is participating in an election campaign or making contributions, or a local unit or branch of a trade association, labor union, or collective bargaining association that is participating in an election campaign or making contributions. All contributions made by a person or political committee whose contribution or expenditure activity is financed, maintained, or controlled by a trade association, labor union, collective bargaining organization, or the local unit of a trade association, labor union, or collective bargaining organization are considered made by the trade association, labor union, collective bargaining organization, or local unit of a trade association, labor union, or collective bargaining organization.
     (3) The commission shall adopt rules to carry out this section and is not subject to the time restrictions of RCW 42.17.370(1) (as recodified by this act).

Sec. 211   RCW 42.17.690 and 1993 c 2 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     At the beginning of each even-numbered calendar year, the commission shall increase or decrease all dollar amounts in this chapter based on changes in economic conditions as reflected in the inflationary index used by the commission under RCW 42.17.370 (as recodified by this act). The new dollar amounts established by the commission under this section shall be rounded off by the commission to amounts as judged most convenient for public understanding and so as to be within ten percent of the target amount equal to the base amount provided in this chapter multiplied by the increase in the inflationary index since December 3, 1992.

Sec. 212   RCW 43.70.695 and 2006 c 236 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department, in collaboration with the workforce training and education coordinating board, shall distribute survey questions for the purpose of gathering data related to workforce supply and demographics to all health care providers who hold a license to practice a health profession. The department shall adopt a schedule for distributing surveys by profession so that each profession is surveyed every two years. In developing the survey, the department shall seek advice from researchers that are likely to use the survey data.
     (2)(a) At a minimum, the survey shall include questions related to understanding the following characteristics of individuals in the health care workforce:
     (i) Specialty;
     (ii) Birthdate and gender;
     (iii) Race and ethnicity;
     (iv) Hours in practice per week;
     (v) Practice statistics, including hours spent in direct patient care;
     (vi) Zip codes of the location where the provider practices;
     (vii) Years in practice, years in practice in Washington, location and years in practice in other jurisdictions;
     (viii) Education and training background, including the location and types of education and training received; and
     (ix) Type of facilities where the provider practices.
     (b) The department may approve proposals for the distribution of surveys containing additional data elements to selected health care professions if it determines that there is a legitimate research interest in obtaining the information, the additional burden on members of the health care profession is not unreasonable, the effect on survey response rates is not unreasonable, and there are funds available. The department may accept funds through contracts, grants, donations, or other forms of contributions to support more detailed surveys.
     (3) The department must make a public data set available that meets the confidentiality requirements of subsection (5) of this section. The department may respond to requests for data and other information from the registry for special studies and analysis pursuant to a data-sharing agreement. Any use of the data by the requestor must comply with the confidentiality requirements of subsection (5) of this section. The department may require requestors to pay any or all of the reasonable costs associated with such requests that may be approved.
     (4) The failure to complete or return the survey may not be grounds to withhold, fail to renew, or revoke a license or to impose any other disciplinary sanctions against a credentialed health care provider.
     (5) The department must process the surveys that it receives in such a way that the identity of individual providers remains confidential. Data elements related to the identification of individual providers are confidential and are exempt from RCW 42.56.040 through 42.56.570 and 42.17.350 (as recodified by this act) through 42.17.450, except as provided in a data-sharing agreement approved by the department pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.
     (6) By July 1, 2009, the department shall provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the effectiveness of using a survey to obtain information on the supply of health care professionals, the distribution and use of the information obtained by the surveys by employers and health professions education and training programs(([,])), and the extent to which the surveys have alleviated identified shortages of trained health care providers.

Sec. 213   RCW 43.370.050 and 2007 c 259 s 54 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office may respond to requests for data and other information from its computerized system for special studies and analysis consistent with requirements for confidentiality of patient, provider, and facility-specific records. The office may require requestors to pay any or all of the reasonable costs associated with such requests that might be approved.
     (2) Data elements related to the identification of individual patient's, provider's, and facility's care outcomes are confidential, are exempt from RCW 42.56.030 through 42.56.570 and 42.17.350 (as recodified by this act) through 42.17.450, and are not subject to discovery by subpoena or admissible as evidence.

Sec. 214   RCW 70.168.090 and 2005 c 274 s 344 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1991, the department shall establish a statewide data registry to collect and analyze data on the incidence, severity, and causes of trauma, including traumatic brain injury. The department shall collect additional data on traumatic brain injury should additional data requirements be enacted by the legislature. The registry shall be used to improve the availability and delivery of prehospital and hospital trauma care services. Specific data elements of the registry shall be defined by rule by the department. To the extent possible, the department shall coordinate data collection from hospitals for the trauma registry with the health care data system authorized in chapter 70.170 RCW. Every hospital, facility, or health care provider authorized to provide level I, II, III, IV, or V trauma care services, level I, II, or III pediatric trauma care services, level I, level I-pediatric, II, or III trauma-related rehabilitative services, and prehospital trauma-related services in the state shall furnish data to the registry. All other hospitals and prehospital providers shall furnish trauma data as required by the department by rule.
     The department may respond to requests for data and other information from the registry for special studies and analysis consistent with requirements for confidentiality of patient and quality assurance records. The department may require requestors to pay any or all of the reasonable costs associated with such requests that might be approved.
     (2) By January 1994, in each emergency medical services and trauma care planning and service region, a regional emergency medical services and trauma care systems quality assurance program shall be established by those facilities authorized to provide levels I, II, and III trauma care services. The systems quality assurance program shall evaluate trauma care delivery, patient care outcomes, and compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The emergency medical services medical program director and all other health care providers and facilities who provide trauma care services within the region shall be invited to participate in the regional emergency medical services and trauma care quality assurance program.
     (3) Data elements related to the identification of individual patient's, provider's and facility's care outcomes shall be confidential, shall be exempt from RCW 42.56.030 through 42.56.570 and 42.17.350 (as recodified by this act) through 42.17.450, and shall not be subject to discovery by subpoena or admissible as evidence.
     (4) Patient care quality assurance proceedings, records, and reports developed pursuant to this section are confidential, exempt from chapter 42.56 RCW, and are not subject to discovery by subpoena or admissible as evidence. In any civil action, except, after in camera review, pursuant to a court order which provides for the protection of sensitive information of interested parties including the department: (a) In actions arising out of the department's designation of a hospital or health care facility pursuant to RCW 70.168.070; (b) in actions arising out of the department's revocation or suspension of designation status of a hospital or health care facility under RCW 70.168.070; or (c) in actions arising out of the restriction or revocation of the clinical or staff privileges of a health care provider as defined in RCW 7.70.020 (1) and (2), subject to any further restrictions on disclosure in RCW 4.24.250 that may apply. Information that identifies individual patients shall not be publicly disclosed without the patient's consent.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 301   The following sections are recodified in the following order in a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.
     RCW 42.17.350
     RCW 42.17.360
     RCW 42.17.362
     RCW 42.17.365
     RCW 42.17.367
     RCW 42.17.369
     RCW 42.17.3691
     RCW 42.17.370
     RCW 42.17.375
     RCW 42.17.380

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 302   Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 303   Section 212 of this act expires January 1, 2012.